Jesus Christ and Him Crucified (1 Corinthians 2:1-2)

1 And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

The apostle Paul was brilliant. Anyone who has studied his life knows that this was his reputation. Even as he shared the gospel with Agrippa, Festus referred to Paul’s “great learning” even though he thought Paul was crazy (Acts 26:24). Paul had the ability to make lofty arguments and persuasive rhetorical presentations.

Yet, as we look at Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, a people who would have certainly been impressed with high reasoning, Paul said that he was intentional among them not to make such arguments. While he was there, all he really wanted to focus on was Jesus Christ crucified.

On Good Friday, I wonder how many of us are content to know nothing among the world other than Jesus Christ crucified. We do not need great and lofty arguments for the existence of God or the reliability of God’s word—though such arguments exist. We do not need wonderful philosophical rationales to respond to the problem of pain or evil, for God’s design for marriage, or for the age of the earth—though such rationales exist. What we need most of all is a grasp of the truth that Jesus Christ, God’s chosen and promised Rescuer, came to earth, lived a perfect life, and died in our place to pay the price for our sins. And, yes, he rose from the grave proving that he did all that he set out to do.

What is there to know about Jesus Christ and him crucified? Jesus is God the Son. He was born of a virgin and never tainted by human original sin. He was fully God and fully man. He lived out a perfect human life, never failing and always perfectly pleasing God the Father. Then he willingly went to a Roman cross, but not to pay for any crime he committed. Jesus died on that cross, and while there, bore the wrath of God for every sin that God would ever forgive. Jesus was a perfect substitute, offering himself as the only acceptable sacrifice for our sins.

Do you know Jesus and him crucified? Have you put your trust in his death on your behalf? Have you acknowledged your sin, believed in Jesus, surrendered to Christ’s lordship over your life, and asked him for mercy? If not, Good Friday would be a great day for you to trust in the crucified and risen Savior.